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The Rules Of Losing Belly Fat

Having a toned tummy is on many people’s list of things they want to achieve when starting a diet or exercise regime. Unfortunately, that stubborn paunch also very hard to lose.

Here are the some basic, simple rules that should be followed when trying to lose belly fat.

Cut Down On Sugar And Added Calories

The number one way to lose belly fat is to cut down on calories, plain and simple. You can’t show off your six-pack abs if there’s a layer of fat on them! Swap out white grains, breads and pasta for whole grains, legumes, lean proteins and vegetables, and cut out fizzy, sugary drinks to cut calories and lose weight. And take it easy on the sweets, folks.

Decrease Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol has a ton of extra calories and no nutritional value. “In general, alcohol intake is associated with bigger waists, because when you drink alcohol, the liver burns alcohol instead of fat,” explains Michael Jensen, MD, an endocrine expert and obesity researcher with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. They don’t call it a “beer belly” for nothing, so if you really want to slim down, you’ll have to cut back on the booze.

Exercise Regularly

There is no one magic exercise that will help you lose your belly fat. In order to achieve a flat stomach, you have to lose weight all over. While we’re not saying to forego your stomach crunches and targeted ab exercises, a better method to reduce belly fat and tone your core overall is with a full body workout that increases your metabolism slowly over time. Swimming, jogging and circuit training can put you on the right path towards an lean sculpted body overall – and a trim tummy. Keep at it and don’t lose sight of your goals. Want to go that extra mile to lose stubborn belly fat? Try our 30-day summer abs challenge!

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The simplest and easiest rule for losing belly fat is to drink water! Staying hydrated boosts your metabolism nd prevents your body from retaining water, which leads to bloating. Avoid sodium-laden foods (these can contribute to a puffy appearance) and continue to hydrate throughout the day to keep your tummy looking (and feeling) trim. Staying hydrated can also help stave off hunger.